Dairy Industry News

New Hires: Joe Macedo

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Joe Macedo, southwest region sales manager for Alta Genetics.

Weekly Digest: Dairy farmers sue USDA over checkoff program

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:57:35 -0400

In dairy-related news the third week of June 2026: Dairy farmers sue the USDA over checkoff program, Congressional Fly-in urges action on labor and other issues, Rabobank reports the global dairy market is heading toward a supply slowdown, and Idaho Milk Products expands its footprint.

U.S. dairy exports soar in April

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:28:59 -0400

April was another record-breaking month for U.S. dairy product exports, with cheese setting a new monthly record, and butterfat, nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) and low-protein whey all continuing their respective growth streaks.

QualiTru Sampling Systems launches customized food safety and quality training program for commercial dairy industry

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:50:44 -0400

QualiTru Sampling Systems (formerly known as QMI), leaders in the science of aseptic and representative sampling equipment for the liquid food and dairy industries, is introducing a new Technical Services Educational Training (TSET) Program.

Progressive Publishing hires Lauren Wangsness as summer editorial intern

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:31:17 -0400

Progressive Publishing welcomes Lauren Wangsness as a summer editorial intern for Progressive Dairy. Wangsness will work on various video projects and support the editorial team throughout the summer.

Weekly Digest: More U.S. cases of New World screwworm confirmed, Canada restricts imports

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:32:45 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the second week of June 2026: More U.S. cases of New World screwworm were confirmed and Canada restricts imports, FARM Biosecurity celebrates updated Secure Milk Supply Plan and producer resources, and three Midwest farms earn 2025 High Production Herd Award.

Class III-IV gap widens to largest spread since 2020

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:08:46 -0400

The May USDA Announcement of Class and Component Prices report is indicative of a milk market the U.S. dairy industry has not seen since 2020 as the gap between Class III and Class IV reached $5.40 per hundredweight (cwt), incentivizing depooling in Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs).

Weekly Digest: Checkoff to celebrate National Cheese Day June 4

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:15:50 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the first week of June 2026: The dairy checkoff brings "Body by Cheese" to life for National Cheese Day, U.S. dairy calls for action on Canadian dairy trade practices, and the FARM Program kicks off its annual Excellence Awards.

April DMC margin reaches yearly high of $10.54 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:10:21 -0400

The price for all key feedstuffs used to calculate the margin rose in April, revealing an income over feed cost of $10.54 per hundredweight (cwt), more than $1 above the highest coverage selection in Tier I and comfortably positioning those enrolled in the program in the clear of indemnity payments.

DRMS Expands HerdHQ with RapidReports and BovineBio – Customizable Reports and Cow Views Now Available

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:21:50 -0400

DRMS announced the availability of RapidReports and BovineBio, two tools within the HerdHQ platform that are already being used by producers and consultants.

April report on dairy cows culled for beef

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:07:12 -0400

Based on latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April 2026 was estimated at 215,100.

Milk production, cow numbers continue to increase in April USDA estimates

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 17:00:22 -0400

Nineteen states including Kansas, California and Wisconsin boosted milk production a combined 574 million pounds in April.

Dairy risk management calendar: June 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:25:28 -0400

June marks the halfway mark for 2026, but it is already time to start thinking about risk management coverage for 2027 as the new crop year is on the horizon.

Economic Update: June Class I base price reaches $22.18 per cwt

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:13:23 -0400

In the news impacting a dairy producer's bottom line the third week of May 2026: June Class I base price reaches $22.18 per cwt, fluid milk sales for March are 2.3% higher than a year earlier, the FARM Environmental Stewardship Program integrates newly updated RuFaS Model, and entries are now open for the 2026 World Forage Analysis Superbowl.

Progressive Publishing welcomes Patryce LeFevre as a summer editorial intern for Progressive Dairy

Tue, 19 May 2026 09:58:37 -0400

Patryce (Eldredge) LeFevre is no stranger to the dairy industry. She grew up on a dairy farm in southeastern Idaho on the Idaho-Utah border, and is Progressive Dairy's editorial intern this summer.

Weekly Digest: Poull selected as the 79th Alice in Dairyland

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 18 May 2026 15:37:45 -0400

In dairy-related news for the first half of May 2026: Poull was selected as the 79th Alice in Dairyland, Michael Dykes announced plans to retire as president and CEO of IDFA, and the USDA requests producer input.

The world is craving U.S. dairy products

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:22:40 -0400

Prices continue to support the ample flow of milk in the U.S. as the global marketplace wants more. In March, not only were U.S. dairy product exports up 8% from the same month a year ago, but it was the highest milk solid equivalent volume in four years.

PDP hoof management workshops offer practical strategies for dairies

Thu, 07 May 2026 14:06:28 -0400

Lameness is one of the leading causes of lost milk production and premature culling, making proactive hoof management essential to today’s dairy operations.

2026 Nexus Innovation Awards

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Progressive Dairy, in collaboration with Professional Dairy Producers (PDP), recently invited each of the following companies on stage during PDP’s Business Conference March 4-5 as winners of Nexus Innovation Awards. Each was deemed an award winner by a panel of dairy producers.

Nexus awards: ‘In-liner everything’ automated teat prep technology now available

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Tue, 05 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Semiautomated milking technology captured the attention of dairy producers awarding this year’s Nexus Innovation Awards. The new technology from GEA improves upon and brings the fully automated teat preparation common in box-style milking robots to parallel parlors.

Nexus awards: Technology tracks calf health via eartag with flashing light indicator

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

SenseHub Dairy Youngstock monitoring technology from Merck Animal Health tracks calves from birth and flashes an indicator light when activity, rumination, eating or other behaviors deviate from the baseline. The same eartag can also continue tracking behaviors throughout the animal’s entire life.

Replacement dairy cow prices hit new record high

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:54:02 -0400

Prices for U.S. replacement dairy cows continued climbing into the first half of 2026, reaching a new record high in April, according to the latest quarterly estimates from the USDA.

Weekly Digest: USDA seeks nominees for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:54:45 -0400

In dairy-related news at the beginning of May 2026: The USDA is seeking nominees for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, May FSA interest rates hold steady, a USTR report underlines landmark wins for common name protections, and Holstein Association USA names its Star of the Breed and Herds of Excellence.

Nexus awards: New bolus helps dry cows off faster, more comfortably

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Administering cows an innovative technology in bolus form at dry-off has been shown to decrease milk production 50% to 60% in the first 24 hours after dry-off. Research on the new product – StopLac from AHV – shows it also doesn’t negatively impact the health of the cow or milk production in her next lactation.

March DMC skates above payment threshold at $9.57 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:25:25 -0400

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Prices report, released April 30, established March’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program calculations. Both milk prices and feed costs rallied enough in March for the DMC program margin to climb out of the depths of indemnity payments.

Weekly Digest: Organic dairy producers file class action suit against the U.S. government

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:20:37 -0400

In dairy-related news to end April 2026: Organic dairy producers file class action suit against the U.S. government, chocolate returns to the top as America’s favorite ice cream flavor, and dairy product prices continue to gain strength.

Milk prices rise for fourth consecutive month

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:54:10 -0400

The USDA’s Announcement of Class and Component Prices report for April confirmed the good news buzzing throughout the dairy industry, with prices rising in Class II, III and IV for the fourth straight month in 2026.

InFocus: Farmers share key concerns with greenhouse gas data collection

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

American Dairy Coalition greenhouse gas survey results say farm data demands not really voluntary, and responses shed light on key concerns.

Weekly Digest: USDA eases requirement for HPAI testing of dairy cows for interstate movement

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:25:33 -0400

In dairy-related news the last week of April 2026: The USDA eases requirement for HPAI testing of dairy cows for interstate movement, a few dairy-related bills have been placed before Congress, the USDA issues second supplemental disaster payment to farmers, leaders elect board officers to guide dairy checkoff strategy, and the National FFA Organization partners with World Dairy Expo.

Dairy cows culled for beef up in March report

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:57:58 -0400

Based on the latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in March 2026 was estimated at 239,200.